Madeira – Funchal and Coastal Hike PR8

Madeira is located 434 miles west of Morocco, closer to Africa than Europe. During our two-week stay in January, we stayed in Funchal, São Vicente and Paul do Mar, (links to previous posts). This post describes 3 days in Funchal. Just a beginning . . .we must return!

Madeira’s lush scenery is spectacular and mountainous. The island’s network of roads has 153 tunnels blasted through the volcanic, mountains, the longest tunnel 1.8 miles long. (SLIDE SHOW BELOW).

Three Days In Funchal

Favorite! Ponta de São Lourenço PR8

A unique tramp across one of Madeira’s most magnificent peninsula coastlines, Ponta de São Lourenço. It doesn’t take long to reach stunning views. The round trip to the peninsula’s tip, Cais Do Sardinha (Sardine Pier), is 6 km approximately 3-4 hours. Wear hiking shoes. The trail is moderately easy, unless you don’t like narrow, steep paths . . . there are some. An optional climb at the end to the peak. There is no shade.

Location: east of Funchal, past Caniçal.

Praça do Municipio – Municipal Square

The Town Hall (Câmara) and The Cathedral (Sé) in Old Town (Zona Velha).

Praça CR7 – Named for Cristiano Ronaldo, of course

Visit the CR7 Museum. Cristiano Ronaldo, from Monte, Madeira, embodies “Football is LIFE!”

Near Praça CR7 is the “Plastic Mero” sculpture, created by Portuguese environmental artist, Artur Bordalo, (“Bordalo II”). His global work consists mainly of large installations made from recycled trash, in this case, ocean litter. (Mero is an Atlantic goliath grouper.)

Mercado dos Lavradores – Farmer’s Market

In the centre of Funchal, the mercado is part of everyday life.

Rua de Santa Maria – The Painted Door Project

Not too far from the Mercado is a vibrant narrow street where all the doors have been turned into artwork. There is an abundance of restaurants and cafes here.

Cable Car Up To Monte

The Funchal Cable Car is a 4-minute walk from Rua de Santa Maria. Ride up the mountain to Monte and walk about the hillside community. Visit the Botanical Garden and the Church of Our Lady of Monte (Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte).

The historic Monte church was constructed in 1741, damaged by an earthquake in 1748 and reconstructed in 1818.

Toboggan: A wicker basket with two greased wooden runners. It was invented in 1850 for fast downhill transportation. Today, two carreiros in traditional attire guide people on a quick 2km, 10-minute ride. To continue the journey, you walk downhill for another 20 minutes into Funchal.

Restaurant Recommendation – Casa Da Penha (Michelin Logo)

I Could Live Here!

Madeira is famous for fortified wines, bananas, traditional bread “bolo do caco,” fresh rum poncha (do not buy it in a bottle), and a temperate sub-tropical climate.

Caniçal is a fishing village near Funchal. It has beautiful white cliffs overlooking the sea, pristine countryside, and hiking opportunities. The village has a population of 3,904 and I would be happy to consider myself number 3,905.

More to come: After Funchal, off to the mountains and then to the sea. Next to the north: São Vicente (link)

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